Harbor for the Nightingale by Kathleen Baldwin Pages: 307
Published by Ink Lion Books on September 26, 2019
Series: Stranje House #4
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy & Magic
Source: Paperback from Author
Also in this series: A School for Unusual Girls, Exile for Dreamers, Refuge for Masterminds, Santuary For SeersIt's 1814. In this alternate history, Napoleon has forced Europe to its knees, and now he plots to seize control of Britain.
Maya brings the mystery of India with her...
With her friends' lives in deadly peril, Miss Maya Barrington, one of Miss Stranje's unusual girls, must serve as a double agent. To do so, she gains entry into Napoleon's duplicitous game on the arm of the enigmatic Lord Kinsworth. She can read almost everyone; not so with this young rascal. Quick with a jest and armed with lethal charm, Kinsworth remains just beyond her reach. Can she trust him?
With Britain's future at risk and those she loves in deadly peril, Maya questions everything she thought she understood about life, love, and loyalty.
Fans of genre-blending, romance, and action will love this speculative history Regency-era novel filled with spunky heroines, handsome young lords, and dastardly villains--fourth in the Stranje House series. Don't miss the first three books: A School for Unusual Girls, Exile for Dreamers, and Refuge for Masterminds
Note: This is the fourth book in a series that must be read in order.
If you are new to the Stranje House series, check out my review of book one, A School for Unusual Girls HERE, my review of book two, HERE, and my review of book three HERE
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Harbor For the Nightingale is the fourth book in the Stranje House series by Kathleen Baldwin. The Stranje House series is my absolute favorite alternative history (with a fantasy element) series of all time. Stranje House is the school that our main characters attend, and it is basically a secret spy school for young ladies with impressive talents. Each of the books is told from one of the five Stranje House girls point of views. Book one was Georgie, book two is Tess, book three is Jane, and book four is Maya’s story. The series follows a single timeline and the events of the books take place one right after another, so the series must be read in order. But from each book we get to see the next set of events unfold from a different perspective. It is brilliantly done, and I am loving how all of the stories weave together. Kathleen Baldwin has become an auto-buy author for me.
Harbor For the Nightingale is Maya’s story. Without spoiling the details of the plot, because as I have said, this is a series that needs to be read in order- Maya’s story felt a little different for me than the first three books. Maya has a very interesting inner conflict going on. She is both fierce, yet fragile, and that theme played it self out beautifully throughout the story. Kathleen really is a master storyteller. I love her writing style and character development. Maya learns of a conspiracy, and she has to enter Napoleon’s ranks as a double agent! Maya’s story was exhilarating, with plenty of action, twists, turns intrigue, and all the wit, charm and bits of romance that I have come to love from this series. Maya’s loyalty throughout the story is one of the reasons why I love her so much. Plus, her “ability” is awesome!
The Stranje House series is quickly turning into one of my favorites. I love that it blends different genres effortlessly. It is part historical fiction/alternate history, party magic, and part secret spy school. I have never read another book quite like it. I can’t wait for Sera’s story. It is one I have been looking forward to from the beginning. I love that none of the girls are standout stars. They are each so fascinating, and valuable in their own regard. A true sisterhood. I love watching them all work together. The ending of Harbor the the Nightingale left me breathless for more. I need the next book right now.
Overall, Harbor For the Nightingale is a fantastic addition to the Stranje House series. This is a series for readers and lovers of all different genres. I think everyone should read this series. There will be something in between these pages that you will fall in love with, I’m more sure of it with each book that I read. I said it in my review of the last book, and I will say it again- I hope that this series is longer than five novels. It is one of my favorite series of all time. Kathleen Baldwin is a mastermind just like Lady Jane, and she has me eagerly waiting for more. Bring on Sera’s story!
If you have read these books let me know because I am dying to chat with someone about some of the characters
Books in the Stranje House Series:
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About Kathleen Baldwin
Award-winning author Kathleen Baldwin loves adventure in books and in real life. She taught rock climbing in the Rockies, survival camped in the desert, was stalked by a mountain lion, lost an argument with a rattlesnake, enjoyed way too many classes in college, fell in love at least a dozen times, and married her very own hero. They’ve raised four free-spirited adventurous children.
Awarded 2016 Spirit of Texas, A School for Unusual Girls , is her first historical romance for Young Adults. It is a Junior Library Guild selection. Publisher’s Lunch listed it in their 2015 Young Adult BookBuzz. Kansas State NEA Reading Circle gave it a starred review in their 2016 “Best of the Best” for High Schools. Scholastic licensed it for book fairs, and New York Times Book Review called it “enticing from the first sentence.”
Kathleen is also an avid reader and adores the wit and humor of Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and Jane Austen. Her eclectic reading interests range from Frank Herbert to Meg Cabot, and on to the delightfully imaginative tales of Diana Wynne Jones.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
What a delightful review. Thank you Michelle!
I’m so happy you enjoyed Maya’s story. She was amazing to write about. And, yes, I think of the girls at Stranje House as real people. Between stories I miss them and their world. It makes my heart happy to know someone else enjoys them, too.
This series is new to me, but I believe I would love it. I am always interested in YA fantasy and the alternate history would be intriguing. Thank you for sharing this review. Best wishes on the newest release to the author.